If your eyes feel gritty, burning, or tired by the end of the day — or they water for no obvious reason — you're not imagining it, and you're definitely not alone. Hawaii is paradise, but the same things that make island life beautiful are surprisingly hard on your eyes.
How your tears actually work
A healthy "tear film" has three layers: an oily outer layer that stops tears from evaporating, a watery middle layer that keeps the surface moist, and a sticky inner layer that holds it to your eye. Dry eye happens when one of those layers gets disrupted — usually because tears are evaporating too fast, not because you can't make enough of them.
Why island life dries your eyes out
Several everyday things on Oʻahu gang up on that delicate tear film:
- Trade winds — constant breeze speeds up tear evaporation, especially Windward side.
- Sun & brightness — squinting and UV exposure stress the eye's surface.
- Salt water & sunscreen — ocean days and stray sunscreen irritate the surface.
- Air conditioning — dry, moving indoor air pulls moisture from your eyes.
- Screens — we blink up to 50% less when staring at phones and computers.
When the surface gets irritated from dryness, it triggers a flood of reflex tears that don't coat the eye properly. Treating the underlying dryness is what finally calms the watering.
Simple things that help today
- Use preservative-free artificial tears a few times a day (not the "gets the red out" drops).
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule on screens: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds — and blink fully.
- Wear wrap-style sunglasses outdoors to block wind and sun.
- Try a warm compress on closed eyes for a few minutes to loosen the oil glands.
- Stay hydrated and add omega-3s to your diet.
When to see an eye doctor
If drops and habits aren't enough — or symptoms keep coming back — it's worth an evaluation. The cause matters, because the right treatment depends on why your eyes are dry. Dr. Mordue can pinpoint the type of dry eye you have and build a plan for lasting relief. Learn more about dry eye treatment at Out To See.
Still battling dry, irritated eyes?
Book a dry eye evaluation with Dr. Mordue in Kailua, or call or text (808) 501-2020.
Book a Dry Eye EvaluationFAQ
Is dry eye worse in Hawaii than on the mainland?
The combination of constant trade winds, strong sun, salt water, and air conditioning makes evaporative dry eye especially common here — even for people who never had symptoms elsewhere.
Will regular eye drops fix it?
Over-the-counter tears help temporarily, but they often don't address the root cause (like blocked oil glands). If relief doesn't last, an evaluation finds what's actually driving it.
Can contact lenses make dry eye worse?
They can — but often the fix is a different lens material or wear schedule rather than giving up contacts.
How soon will I feel better?
Many people notice improvement within a couple of weeks of starting the right plan, though it depends on the cause and severity.